A new auto technology is aimed at drivers, to help them drive with the environment and fuel efficiency in mind. Green Road is the manufacturer behind a green driving system designed to encourage motorists to drive in a safe and fuel-efficient manner.

Green Road’s technology combines GPS, an accelerometer and map data to provide feedback to a driver on how efficiently and safely they are driving using a dashboard device that lights up red if they are braking or cornering too sharply. The device also records a log of driving maneuvers throughout the day, allowing fleet managers to assess how individuals are driving. The firm says a typical fleet operator sees up to a 50 per cent reduction in crash costs and up to a 10 per cent cut in fuel consumption within the first year.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for young drivers. Already in use by thousands of drivers, the GreenRoad 360 service has been proven to decrease crashes by as much as 50%. While based on sophisticated technology, the service is incredibly simple: young drivers receive continuous feedback and coaching on safe driving habits both in their vehicles and online. Parents can finally have peace of mind when their teens are out on the roads. Insurance companies are so impressed with the results they are offering discounts of up to 25% to young drivers who sign up.

The dashboard component is directly connected to a password-protected web interface, where drivers and their managers can access real-time reports on driving performance, recommendations for improving safety measures or fuel efficiency, and tools to calculate risk on a vehicle or fleet-wide level. Currently, GreenRoad has 80 fleet customers, some with as many as 20,000 active vehicles. Each of these clients pays $1,000 per car equipped with the GreenRoad system. The hope is that the Green Road driving system will eventually become more mainstream on the consumer market and help drivers around the country drive ‘greener’ and safer.